For many people, waking up with morning back pain is a regular occurrence and their first impulse may be to go out and buy a new mattress. In many instances, this may solve the problem, as one of the main causes of back pain is poor posture, poor lumbar support while sitting and poor back support while sleeping due to a bad mattress. However, there are other things that can cause morning back pain and until the cause is known, buying a new mattress may not effect relief.

If the person is generally in good health and has no history of back problems, the first thing they should look at is the mattress. While some folks can sleep comfortably on nearly any type of surface, others may experience morning back pain on a lumpy mattress. The incidence of pain will generally increase over time as the mattress becomes less comfortable for them over time.

There are also those that are athletic and in good physical condition that suffer from morning back pain, even when sleeping on the best mattress they can find. For them, oxygen starved muscles may be complaining in the morning. Their daily routine of exercise and activity provides a great deal of fresh oxygen during the day and when they sleep, the muscles are losing out on their expected supply. Persons suffering from sleep apnea are also prone to suffer morning back pain.

Sleeping Wrong One Of The Most Likely Suspects

For many people morning back pain, when not caused by a bad mattress is often attributed to sleeping wrong. While many would argue that there is no wrong way to sleep, the back's alignment with other bones and muscles in the body can cause pain, usually of short duration.

Sometimes, placing extra pillows on the bed to maintain spinal alignment while sleeping will help eliminate waking up with morning back pain. Persons who sleep on the their back tend to have more morning back pain in the upper back and neck, especially if they sleep with their head canted at an odd angle throughout the night. Sleeping on their side with their head raised by pillows can create the same type of pain.

Being conscious of the body's alignment when lying down to sleep may help eliminate morning back pain for most people. However, it could also be a sign of an internal problem that requires a diagnosis from the primary caregiver.